I have played through a lot of games in my time; some with great writing and some with…well, not-so-great writing (looking at you, R.A.D on PS2). As I sat considering the best moments I have had behind a controller and keyboard, I came up with a personal list of my top five gaming stories and the best moments within. I started thinking about all the things that really speak to me in a story, the ones that really had some interesting ideas. Ideas that were crazy, never heard of, or simply overlooked for not being a military shooter with zombies. Mainly the stories that really hit home by making you have a reaction. In that regard I put together a list of some of top gaming stories that really seem to tickle the imagination.

Now this is all obviously my own opinion and in no way anyone else’s list. It’s the internet and a list, so right there on that merit I am immediately wrong to everyone and at least one person will be offended enough to contemplate time travel just to get rid of my opinions.

(To date, they have yet to succeed…I think.)

That being said I, present the top 5 video game stories that really shine on and became the driving force for a playthrough. Some games can be downright murder to complete, but the story makes you want for more. Good stories and bad gameplay don’t always ruin the whole thing, but it will definitely try. Bad voice acting can make you do horrible things too, or laugh in joy. Though really bad voice acting will make you evil incarnate.
(Again, I submit R.A.D. YouTube it and just listen. The field reporter in that game alone made me want to destroy an entire city JUST to be rid of her).

1) The downpour of Heavy Rain
This game had a ton of type. The PS3 needed to have something interesting, and the direction of Heavy Rain promised to be something special. It was supposed to be an experiment in interactive story telling. The game was compared by some to be no more than a glorified pop-up book or a boring movie due to the sub-standard plot and holes in the story. Nevertheless, gamers found quite a lot to love about it. Heavy Rain hit on a lot of emotions with its cast of characters, each one dealing with their own personal demons. The story itself could have been any episode of whatever cop drama that fills the tube, but as many know, it’s the delivery and dialogue that really make the story matter. Having a child of my own really helps drive the story closer to the heart as well. Screaming for a child in the middle of a crowd is a downright eerie experience that makes you sick even if it all turns out well. That said, shouting out the name Jason in a crowded area is actually a thing…people do it for fun.

All in all, Heavy Rain managed to pull through the promise of telling a deep and emotional tale while keeping the player interested in more than shooting things or solving puzzles. While I do recommend this game, I normally only advise more mature gamers, ones with kids preferably, to try it. It just doesn’t hold the same punch if you can’t relate to the situation. Or if your heart isn’t in playing a game where 50 pounds of TNT isn’t going off every minute while mutant zombies ninjas storm your castle as mecha wizards drop in with heavy machine guns firing live dragon bullets.
Actually…that sounds amazing. Someone get a kickstarter on that.

2) A sweetheart named Catherine
Catherine was a game that caught my eye for seeming like a lowbrow soft core skin game. The anime cel-shaded look was interesting and quite stylish, but I brushed it off as nothing that I would waste time with. Then one day I was looking for something new and the store guy said, ” Grab Catherine; it’s not what you think.” So, on a whim I took his advice, and proceeded to love the game. Catherine cast you as Vincent, a man with an everyday, all too real life. He has a girlfriend named Katherine, who has marriage ideas that tend to scare or stress him. After a night of drinking a bit much he find a stunning beauty named Catherine (with a C) talking to him. Next thing you know he wakes up next to her with no memory of what he did…or didn’t do the night before. This happens again…and again. The game takes you through a series of Vincent’s nightmares in the form of block-climbing challenges. These segments were a bit repetitive to me, and could be something I would rather play on my phone as a causal game, but that was not the point.

The questions being asked in between with the promise of finding out more about what was going on, it really dragged you into the drama. Being in a relationship was not a must, but it definitely helped you get inside the head and emotions of Vincent. The overall pacing and silky smooth styling of the game really come through and put you into another mindset. I actually found myself trying to be the best I could, not because I wanted that ending, but because I WANTED to be moral for the sake of my faux girlfriend.

Catherine really stuck with me. Maybe it was the jazzy tunes, the surprises, or perhaps the idea of how I would act in said situations. This is one I definitely recommend for older gamers in a sense, as your maturity level tends to add to the enjoyment. Also as far as cel-shaded girls go, Catherine is a downright babe. So yeah…there’s that too.

3) An old dirty tale called Red Dead Redemption

I had a blast with this game. It’s another one of those games I avoided simply because it was not up my ally of interest. Red Dead Revolver was an OK game, but it tjust never hit me in any way to care about it. After finally giving in to try Redemption, I kicked myself for not trying it sooner. Redemption is something of a spiritual successor to Revolver. Casting the player as John Marsten, the game sets you free in the old west of an America long gone. The whole game is a big hunt for John’s old criminal gang to get his wife and son back from the government boys holding the gun. That right there is not exactly an original story in any sense, but the delivery thereof is what amassed such a huge audience. Along the path, you get to know the kind of man Marsten is and the company he’s forced to keep.

It was a great feeling to immerse myself into this rough rider bad-ass good guy that filled the scripts of old western flicks. Riding off into the cool desert nights fending off wolves and hunting bears. Even watching a train passing by on new age locomotive, pulsing metal and steam, as you sit atop your tired steed. It had the sense of watching time drift by, sitting right on the cusp of the future with your hand stuck in the past. I truly recommend that gamers give this a play if they haven’t already. The story lies in the experience, and the ending is a satisfying one to take in. This was a gamble for Rockstar to make, but one that paid off well. It fills you with a sort of golden good guy pride (if you choose to play it that way) that some games don’t always do good job of getting at.

Plus if you get bored, you can load up the Undead Nightmare DLC and kill zombies in the old west, ride an apocalyptic steed, or hunt Bigfoot. Because why not.

Seriously, why not?

4) Rockets in with “To the Moon”.
This is an indie game that almost escaped my eye. I don’t get to try out a lot of the indie stuff I see as I simply don’t have time. I got stuck on a late night job for a customer, trying to get her PC working. She was a gamer and told me to try out this game on her laptop while we waited. It was a 2D old school retro rocket back to my days on a Super Nintendo. The game play was OK, puzzles and the like. The characters and the crazy premise however made the game amazing for me. Tasked with going into a dying man’s memory to create the dreams he always wanted, you find yourself feeling real emotion for this story. The witty banter and simple yet perfect music score give this game a wonderful charm that resonates deep within. By the end you feel like you really did some good in strange digital sense.

Many gamers may not admit it, but we are suckers for great graphics, awesome production quality, and tried-and-true formulas. To The Moon offers such a nice break from all the killing and darkness. In some ways it injects the player with a little bit of humanity. It just may not get a lot of exposure due to the lack of cash funding the project. Think of it as a mental cleanse for that entire zombie/bad guy population you have had to thin out. Not only do I recommend this game, I encourage gamers to give the indie scene more love. Sure there are some that don’t really amount to much. But every now and then you come across a dev that really knows how to put together a gem. This is one of them: try it out.

5) All over the universe as of late, but can’t leave it out: Bioshock Infinite
You keep hearing about this game all around the net. If you haven’t, then I assume you have crashed across a computer, mistakenly activated the internet, and muscle spasms made you type this site into your address bar. If so, continue reading and then go play games.
Bioshock Infinite provides you with yet another first-person shooter. Been there done that…powers?, yep that too. Escort mission? Meh… That’s the on the surface grey approach. Although when you really take the role of Booker Dewitt to heart and begin your tale in the flying city of Columbia, there is a certain sparkle that catches in your eye as the game unfolds its story into your mind. You can’t help but be enthralled by the retro Americana the world oozes. While the game has a set story, the best part of the experience is what you begin to fill in. Booker’s past, his debt, the meanings behind such things, it all brings you closer to be more and more curious. Even the heavy ham science in the game gets you wondering what could and could not be.

A huge driving force is Elizabeth, a young and willful girl who doesn’t look out of place in a Disney movie. Yet there is so much more to be discovered. The layers of the character peel away in such a gratifying way, it makes you more than happy to destroy a set of enemies just to know more about what is going on and why. Calling this an escort mission is infinitely off the mark. The game never burdens you with the pain of actual escort. Elizabeth can handle herself well and helps out too (sometimes a bit much though). The gameplay itself is nothing horrible; the shooting is great as is the power usage. The Skyline riding provides a hell of a roller coaster ride on its own as well. Though when you find a new nugget of info, a new recording, or when you get to witness one of the more amazing set pieces in the game, your reward meter rises ever so quickly. While trying hard to spoil anything, the story really does push a near perfect connection in a lot of ways. This is one that gamers should definitely not miss out on. However, judging by sales and internet traffic…there is little chance of that.

Remember, always give a game a chance. You can find some great titles that you would have otherwise denied yourself.

Game on gamers!

The post Five Game Stories Worth The Time appeared first on BagoGames.com.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

When it comes to convincing someone to game, it’s best to expose them to something that’s easy to get their teeth into, and there’s nothing better than Smash Bros. With basic, accessible controls and a very visual experience, it can be enjoyable for even the most unfamiliar with gaming. Private brawls can be set up as practice sessions and the story mode can be played cooperatively, giving you both a chance to combine button-mashing skills. It also plays host to many iconic and therefore familiar characters that both members of the couple can easily identify with.

Okabu

Although you probably haven’t heard of this quaint game, you really should give it a look. Developed by Hand Circus and available now on PSN, Okabu is a warm and vibrant game that (although it appears childish at first) is heaps of fun. Each player takes on the role of an adorable Cloud Whale, and you then work cooperatively to save the land of Okabu from the evil Doza. The game is a very unique experience with a toy box styled world filled with rather challenging puzzles that will definitely test the patience you have with each other as a couple. This game will genuinely touch hearts and test minds all whilst encouraging serious teamwork and delivering a really enjoyable experience. Watch the gameplay trailer below to see what I’m on about and be sure to check out the developer page here.

Call of Duty

Now stick with me here. In many circumstances it’s the woman in the relationship that requires the convincing to play games, not all of course, but many. Call of Duty would obviously not be high on your list of games to encourage her to play considering how many young relationships it’s been known to test. I’m going to tell you differently though. Call of Duty is a game that’s easy to pick up thanks to its relatively repetitive structure, but it’s also dynamic enough to not get boring. Most of them have some form of cooperative gameplay mode. You might be surprised at how down your other half is to see all the fuss about this ‘COD’ game. I’d advise a later installment in the franchise like Black Ops as you then also have Zombie Mode to play together.

Crash Bandicoot

This series is a classic set of titles that never seem to get old. Basic graphics with basic gameplay makes for a chill, easy gaming session that’s still a ridiculous amount of fun. Even though most of them don’t have any multiplayer or co-op modes, you can still play them as a couple. With a Crash Bandicoot game you do die often (well I certainly do anyway) so you can maintain a “one life = one turn” policy instead of playing cooperatively. Not only does this mean you both get a go, but it also means the less experienced partner will put in extra effort to have a longer turn. Best bet is to go with the original or Wrath of Cortex as they’re indisputably the finer installments. Both are also available on PSN for people who don’t own a PS1.

LittleBigPlanet

Last but not least is the mighty PlayStation game, LittleBigPlanet. Whilst maintaining a stunning and immersive single player mode, both installments of the LBP game are huge amounts of fun with a co-op player, ideal for the gaming couple. Teamwork is crucial to solving the tricky puzzles and you can even work together to design your own perfect world that you can then play in. Certain areas aren’t even accessible without another player. The Sack Persons can be completely customized giving each member of the relationship a character that reflects his/her personality. This makes gameplay much more of a personal experience for both of you. The game itself is incredibly unique and offers access points for anyone with the aptitude to wield a Dualshock. Trust me, stick this game on and enjoy many hours of cooperative gaming together.

 These are just a few of the many titles that the gaming couple can easily pick up and get into. It obviously depends on both of your tastes and interests, but by a rule of thumb, if you can play it together then it’s a winner. (If all goes well, check out our article on converting the non-gamer so you can count on your gal or guy to keep playing with you!)

Please feel free to share any of your personal favorites to play with your other half in the comment section below.

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The post 5 Great Titles for The Gaming Couple appeared first on BagoGames.com.

That is what happened to me.

It’s been a few years, so I think my heart is healed enough to talk about it now. This is my gamer rage moment. This is the most frustrating and bewildering thing I have ever experienced in many years of being a gamer.

This is my heartbreaking story….

It was November of 1993. Jurassic Park had just been released in theaters a few months prior, and as a young, dinosaur-loving child, I was still on a “Jurassic  High”. My friend had taken me to see it for my birthday that summer but I lived way out in the middle of nobody’s nowhere in the middle of Oklahoma. My father never took us to the movies or anything like that, so I had to settle for my memories of the film. We didn’t have cable or even a reliable VCR. My entertainment came primarily from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System that sat in our living room. I only owned two games for it: Super Mario World and Street Fighter 2, both great games in their own right. But after beating them both multiple times, I asked my dad to take me to the video store in town to check out their game selection.

The image that will most likely grace my tombstone.

Now, keep in mind I didn’t live close to a Blockbuster Video or anything like that. I lived in Wellston, Oklahoma and our only video rental option was Wellston Video which didn’t exactly have the best selection in the world. (There used to be a place across the street called Video Visions but that’s another story). Anyway, my dad took my two brothers and me there one day. As they went to the horror section to peruse the 1980’s slasher gems, I went to the video game section. Wellston Video didn’t update their selection too often. They still had Ten Yard Fight for the NES on the new release wall in 1993, but that didn’t bother me. I went to the SNES section, which consisted of a total of four titles, and stopped in my tracks.

There it was.

Like a glorious shining light of grace from God above, I saw sitting on the shelf Jurassic Park the video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. I’m not certain, but I think I soiled myself. Without looking or even thinking I grabbed the games off the shelf and took it home. I stuck it into the top of my SNES and, unbeknownst to me, began a journey of stifling frustration that would plague me for what may be the rest of my life.

Here’s the thing: I loved the game as a kid, but it was not a good game by any stretch of the imagination. It has nothing to do with the movie except that it is set in a place called Jurassic Park. It followed all the old gaming tropes such as limited ammo, no saving, limited lives, and vague if nonexistent direction. The only thing I knew that I was supposed to be doing was collecting raptor eggs. Eighteen to be exact. It was structured in a way that you would have to finish the whole game in one sitting, but because I had little idea of what I was supposed to be doing, I never even got close.

That didn’t stop me though.

It didn’t matter how bad the game was; it was Jurassic Park and I loved it. I rented that piece of garbage every week for over two years and I never even got close to beating it. It was becoming a torrid love/hate relationship and I was determined to one day conquer that game before I graduated high school.

It wasn’t meant to be.

Welcome to Jurassic Park! Prepare to have your childhood destroyed

I walked into Wellston Video in the winter of 1996 to rent my game and was shocked to see that the game was gone. Nintendo 64 was the new big deal, and all the SNES games had been sold. Sure, freaking Ten Yard Fight was still sitting there, but Jurassic Park… MY Jurassic Park game was gone.

Thieves! Those filthy little thieves! They stole it from us!

I walked out into the cold. I had been defeated. The two year battle against the game that I loved and hated was over. The dinosaurs had won. Well played, Jurassic Park. Well played.

Flash forward eleven years…

I’m now an adult. I have a wife, three children, a job, and I am happy. My love of video games continues and I have found myself in a store called Game X-Change in Norman Oklahoma. I have just purchased a device known as the FC Twin which is a remarkable machine that plays both NES and SNES games. I was perusing their impressive selection of Super Nintendo games and suddenly I was flashed back to my childhood. There, sitting on the shelf was Jurassic Park…MY Jurassic Park. Just like I had done years before, I snatched it up and plunked down my very reasonable $4.95 for it and I took it home.

You’re mine now, game. You are going down.

I wasn’t taking any chances this time. We live in the age of the internet, and so I printed off a very detailed walkthrough. I was not playing this game to enjoy it. This was something more serious. This was revenge. This was redemption for over a decade of mockery and nightmares.

I put the kids to bed, kissed my wife good night, and I fired that bad boy up. Walkthrough in hand I sat on my couch, guiding my pixelated Alan Grant through some of the worst platforming and FPS stages known to man. The game had not aged well, and I knew that had the Jurassic Park license not been attached that I would have NEVER played this game in the first place. I didn’t care though. I was scooping up eggs and blasting dinosaurs and as the dark hours of night crept into the wee hours of morning… victory was nigh!

Now, here’s the thing about this game: you have to collect all the eggs and escape the island before it explodes. I finally, with the help of the guide, navigated the poorly designed island and was elated as I saw the screen announce to me that it was time to get to the helipad so that I could escape the island! Suck on THAT, game! I got your stupid eggs! I am heading to the helipad and a decade of demasculating misery is finally going to end.

Or is it?

I’m guiding my character to the left of the screen and like a beacon in the night, I see the edges of the helipad and then I see the helicopter! There it is! I’m three steps away from stepping onto that thing and leaving the nightmare behind!

Then it happened.

Look at him. Prancing around, poking fun at my misery

It wasn’t a blackout. I would have preferred a blackout. That would have made more sense. What I experienced is often called a brownout. Even that is a little extreme though. What I experienced was more like a “flutter”. It lasted about a quarter of a second.  A tiny surge in the electrical current of my home that at any other moment wouldn’t have lasted long enough for even the television to go dim, but as fate would have it, it was enough to reset my video game system.

There I sat. 1:30 in the morning and I was staring at the title screen of the game. Nothing about my game was saved. Not one single egg. I don’t know how long I sat there but I know it was a good ten minutes. I was mere seconds away from slaying the monsters of my youth when a near imperceptible hiccup in my electricity slapped me in the face and laughed at me.

I couldn’t believe it.

I had never been so angry and yet, I lacked the strength to act on it. I didn’t throw anything. I didn’t break anything. I just slowly got up off the couch, turned everything off and like a zombie, staggered in bewilderment to my bedroom. I woke up my wife to tell her because I thought that she would have a right to know why I would not be getting out of bed for the next few days. I lied there in the dark and as I tried to fall asleep I was sure I could hear small traces of laughter coming from that cursed game cartridge in the other room.

That was six years ago and although I have moved on, the wound is still raw. I still have the FC Twin and I still have the game but I’m not ready to put myself through that just yet again. Someday though. Someday I will do it, and when I do… ice cream for everyone!

That’s my story. What’s yours?

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The post A Gamer’s Rage | My Most Frustrating Gaming Moment appeared first on BagoGames.com.

Location?

In terms of Fallout, its most redeeming element would have to be its open-world nature and the fantastic environments you explore. That said, it probably comes as no surprise that location, location, location is on everyone’s minds when considering the next Fallout game. We’ve already visited the vast Washington D.C. and the desolate Nevada desert, so where to next? Most rumors will have you think Boston. Reddit blew up with people claiming to have seen Bethesda performing research in and around Boston. There was also a post from a potential employee at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who have been rumored to be aiding Bethesda in their research with Fallout 4. He was quoted saying:

“Fallout 4 will take place in Boston. In case you haven’t heard, Bethesda has recently been scoping out and researching Boston. They also have a strong connection to MIT. I may or may not be an MIT employee. But that’s really all I can say for fear of losing my job. I am telling you it will take place in Boston.”

Boston would also make sense within the Fallout universe; this is mainly due to the link from Dr. Zimmer in Fallout 3 who mentions the Commonwealth, which is said to be in Boston. (Image below). Along with the strong rumors of Boston, many forum posts have created speculation about Fallout 4 taking place in New York City, the United Kingdom, and some even hope for Australia. Personally it seems unlikely for Bethesda to migrate to another country at the moment due to story integration, but the prospect of battling a Radroach in the irradiated outback doesn’t sound too implausible.

Fallout 4 Will be an MMO?

As I’m sure many of you Fallout fans will be aware, the franchise has been the epicentre of a dirty legal battle, which many felt would jeopardise future game releases. During this time it was released that among the rights to the franchise was rights to produce an MMO version of the universe causing many to believe the next game would in fact be a Fallout MMO rather than the desired Fallout 4. As it stands now, Bethesda own all the rights to the franchise as they do with The Elder Scrolls franchise, however the likelihood of the next Fallout game being an MMO is slim considering the impending release of The Elder Scrolls Online. It’s doubtful that the company would steal its own thunder from such a big release with another MMO, so all signs point to a good old-fashioned RPG format Fallout 4.

Likelihood of Ever Existing?

Let’s take a look at a few of the current pies Bethesda have its fingers in: Rage, slated for a second game; Doom 3, which was used to test the water for a Doom 4; Dishonored, which has just seen its first DLC; The Elder Scrolls Online, which is due later this year; and Skyrim for which all DLC has been released and is considered ‘finished’. That’s quite a few games on the go, so where does Fallout come in? Well as it happens many of the aforementioned games are being developed/run but other studios such as Arkane Studios, who are running the Dishonored show. This means that Bethesda themselves aren’t particularly swamped with development jobs and therefore can put their effort into developing another Fallout game.

Pete Hines (Bethesda Softworks Vice-President) has also been quoted stating that:

“The whole reason we went out and acquired the license and that we now own Fallout is that we clearly intend to make more than one.”

That sounds like a Fallout 4 confirmation if ever I’ve heard one.

Release Date?

So we know it’s coming, but when? Well as far as a release date goes, it’s highly likely that we will see Fallout 4 on the next generation of consoles rather than the current generation. Considering the PS4 is due this October and the yet-to-be-announced-but-definitely-will-be Xbox 720 is also slated for a holiday season release, logic would indicate that Fallout 4 would be released in 2014 for the next gen. The voice actor of Three Dog (Erik Todd Dellums) has also indicated in a tweet back in January (below) that he’ll possibly be returning to voice act for the character in another Fallout game “soon” which again, indicates to a possible 2014 and next generation release.

Just to reiterate, this is speculation and hope in regards to Fallout 4, as literally nothing concrete has leaked about this game. Take everything with a pinch of salt. If you have anything you think would be cool for Fallout 4 including setting, enemies, and potential release dates, then please share your speculation below!

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The post Fallout 4: Speculation appeared first on BagoGames.com.

Names

Possibly the least important aspect of the console is its name. Sure it’s a selling point but in the grand scheme of things, who gives a crap? As it happens, quite a few people as there’s been a few haphazard guesses at the new consoles name tag.

Durango – This is the codename given to the console during its development period and seems to be the only real bit of information that has any truth in it. Similar to the PS4’s codename ‘Orbis’, it’s very unlikely that Durango will stay for the retail version.

Xbox Infinity -  One of the better guesses at a potential name for the console is the Xbox infinity. Ditching the numerical consistency and going for a grand title such as infinity would be a bold marketing move for Microsoft and makes for quite a pleasing logo (see below image). This name has also formed another speculative name, the Xbox Loop with the infinity symbol taking the place of the two o’s in the word which I for one sincerely hope isn’t the case.

Kryptos – Another possible codename for the new Xbox however this one comes unsupported by developer images and as such remains incredibly unlikely. Even less so for the final retail version of the console.

Xbox 720 – The obvious favorite is the logical name for the next console, the Xbox 720. This makes for the most likely name for the next console and would follow in the numerical naming that PlayStation also took. It’s likely but still quite boring. (I’m hoping for Infinity, personally.)

Hardware

The innards of the new Xbox are being hailed to be much the same as the PS4, with AMD supplying some powerful GPU and CPU. This will apparently include an 8GB helping of RAM like that of the PS4 along with a quad core processor, a Blu-ray optical drive, and cloud gaming connectivity. In short, the Nextbox hardware rumours would indicate that the next generation are going to be evenly matched from the inside.

 Big and Worrying Rumors

Always Online – Probably the most worrying rumor of all is this ‘always online’ rubbish. Apparently, to even turn on the Nextbox requires an internet connection, which is said to mean it can deliver a more integrated environment to play games? Whilst this has been met with unanimous hatred, a creative director for Microsoft did tweet about it being a logical addition to the next generation. Cliffy B also added his two pence on his blog stating that always online has been the way forward for gaming, putting some weight behind this possibility.

Backwards Compatibility and Pre-owned Games –

The PS4 was feared to block pre-owned games. It turned out that it wouldn’t be a standard, but developers had the option to implement it if they wanted to. The same thing would appear to be the case with the Nextbox as many sites are claiming that it can recognize and block used games but not by default. With a sigh of relief we can be sure the high street gaming scene will remain for a few more years at least. The other worrying rumor was in regards to backwards compatibility. The PS4 has dispelled the use of PS3 discs and left it’s backwards compatibility to the clever clogs at Gaikai with their cloud technology, which will probably bleed a few extra bucks out of subscription fees for those wanting to play the old LittleBigPlanet games. The Nextbox rumors have taken a rather different approach however, as they claim that backwards compatibility will be enabled through an add-on known as the Xbox Mini. Basically an Apple TV-like device that supposedly enables the use of old 360 games? Unlikely to be the case but incredibly cruel if so.

Games

It goes without saying that along with the unveiling of the Nextbox, we’ll also get to see some games. But what exactly? To name a few besides the certainties of Halo 5, another Call of Duty, and Madden/PES, here a few other incredibly likely releases.

 Watchdogs - Whilst being released for the PS4 there has been no talk of exclusivity in regards to this game, indicating that Ubisoft is planning to plug this game to every console possible.

Destiny - Releasing on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, Bungie’s new game Destiny has been confirmed for release also on the next-gen PS4 so why on earth would it ignore the Xbox 720 too?

Ryse - Announced back at E3 2011, Cryteks’ fantasy game Ryse has slipped from the limelight to some extent. Although heralded for the Xbox 360, it’s likely that it will release for both the current and next-gen Xbox’s much like Destiny.

Forza - The hugely popular driving game has been strongly rumored to be one of the headline games to be announced alongside the unveiling of the new console

Battlefield 4 and Assassin’s Creed IV - Both of these games have been announced for the next generation of consoles (AC has also been announced for current). So whilst they’re expected for the PS4, there’s no reason to suspect they won’t be also on the list of Xbox 720 games too.

 Other Little Bits

Alongside the headline making rumors there have also been a large amount of little tidbits of information that may or may not be true in regards to the new Xbox.

• New Kinect (2.0?)
• Will cost between $500 and $700 (helpfully large price window, I know)
• Will be revealed late April 2013
• Will be released this holiday season like the PS4
• Might have a touchscreen controller
• May have the ability to act like a TV box (DVR) – Microsoft owns the patent for an ‘integrated gaming and media experience’
• Might have a standard 500GB HDD
• All games require installing
• May support the running of multiple programs
• May utilize ‘Illumiroom’ periphals with a new Kinect 2.0

Now that’s a lot of food for thought, fingers crossed many of these rumors remain as fiction however things such as the spec and the inclusion of Illumiroom sound fantastic. What new things do you and don’t you want to see in the Xbox 720? Please share your comment below and stay locked on BagoGames for news regarding the reveal date for Microsoft’s steps into the next generation of gaming.

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• Donkey Kong Country Returns 3DS has been scheduled to release May 24th. It will be a direct port of the Wii version. I think that Nintendo will take this chance to further promote the game, and maybe provide insight on how some features have been changed to utilize the unique functions of the 3DS.
• The one topic that has been hot among everyone is the impending Super Smash Bros. However, I don’t see Nintendo offering any real information on the game. My reason being, this is a huge franchise, and I think it’s better suited for a stage such as E3. I also believe that Super Smash Bros., and any information on it, has the potential to help steal the show from Sony and Microsoft.
• 2013 has been officially dubbed “The Year of Luigi” which kicked off with Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. We have also learned that Nintendo are working on New Luigi U and Mario and Luigi: Dream Team. My prediction is that we may get a release date for both titles, as well as pricing for New Luigi U. I also think, that perhaps alongside a release date, we will get new information on Mario and Luigi: Dream Team. I do understand that the latter  is a Wii U title but given that both play into the same marketing concept, I believe it will get a mention.
  

  I’m hoping this will become reality! I would love battling King DeDeDe and gaining the powers of his minions, all while relaxing in bed with my 3DS.

• There have been some rumors of a Kirby title being developed for the 3DS and I am prone to believe that the rumors have some truth. Reason being, Kirby has seen releases in all of Nintendo’s consoles with the Wii U and 3DS  being the exceptions. I believe that we might be introduced to a Kirby title with this 3DS Nintendo Direct.
• Sadly, I do not expect there to be any new information on Pokemon X and Y. My reason for this is that beneath official photos of “NewMew” is a date, suggesting new information on April 18th. I don’t see Nintendo stealing the Pokemon Company’s thunder by revealing details. Although this could be a platform to raise massive hype on both Pokemon X and Y by having two days packed with juicy information. But I do strongly stand by my speculation that we will not hear anything about Pokemon until April 18th.
• Along with Super Smash Bros., a lot of people have been excited for the new Zelda game that is under development. Sadly, I do not think that Nintendo will be announcing anything about that title. My reason being the same as for Super Smash Bros. It is a huge franchise for Nintendo and has the popularity to easily steal the show at E3. However, I do expect some Zelda news in the forms of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Ages being made available in the eShop. That said, I think we can expect a release date.
• With the localization of the Pikachu 3DS XL, I think that perhaps we might see the Charizard exclusive 3DS XL coming to North America and Europe. Among my circle of friends, the Pikachu 3DS has been hugely popular, and everyone rushed out to purchase it. And as I mentioned before, with the impressive line-up that the 3DS boasts, I see the Charizard 3DS XL selling very well. Plus, let’s be honest; Charizard is much cooler in my eyes, and it isn’t as “bright” as the Pikachu 3DS.
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf has been a game that has been on everyone’s mind and recently we finally received a release date of June 9th, 2013. Not much is known about the title, but with an Animal Crossing 3DS bundle being spotted on a UK retailer’s listing, I suspect that we will get confirmation of this and perhaps further information on the title.
  

  A Vita port titled Tales of Hearts R has been released, but due to low sales of the handheld in Europe and North America, it will not release in either region.

• My last prediction is that Nintendo will come out and announce that Namco Bandai have agreed to port more Tales games to the 3DS. Namco themselves announced that the Tales will be getting more support here in North America. Another reason is that Nintendo and Namco seem to have a great relationship, with the latter being involved in several projects (Project X Zone , Smash Brothers, Tales of the Abyss, etc). It does seem that Namco have been more then happy to support the 3DS, and with several DS Tales titles that have only been released in Japan, the port options are there.

Do you agree with my speculations for the 3DS Nintendo Direct conference? Maybe you think they will be revealing something that I didn’t even mention. If so, I’d love to hear your theories so drop a comment below or on our Facebook.

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The post 3DS Nintendo Direct – 9 Possibilities appeared first on BagoGames.com.

• Mewtwo gets a new form

MewThree has been on Pokemon Fans minds for quite a while; so maybe Nintendo listened. Or they were creativity blocked and thought, we have Mewtwo, let’s make a third one and call it Mewthree.

One of the popular theories out there is that Mewtwo is getting a completely new form. This  doesn’t seem too far-fetched since we’ve been seeing several new forms to Pokemon in past generations. Shaymin has one and so does Giratina, just to name a few, so it’s completely viable that this will prove to be fact.

However, I don’t think that Game Freak and Nintendo are going to introduce a new form of Mewtwo. My reasoning behind this is because the design, while similar, has some key differences that just don’t sit well with me. “NewMew” has what looks like Mewtwo’s tail attached to the back of its head, instead of behind it. So one would have to wonder how Game Freak would make the transition between the two forms not appear completely awkward. For example, it would be kind of strange if, say Mewtwo changes forms holding an item, to see it’s tail magically detach from its body and hover to it’s head. Of course, they could just make the tail go into Mewtwo and come out behind the head; while less “magical”, it could sprout a lot of sexual jokes, which wouldn’t play into Nintendo’s kid-friendly image.

My other reason is a simple one, and that is because Mewtwo is a staple when talking about Pokemon. This was the first real powerful Pokemon that you were tasked with catching in Pokemon Red/Blue, and the first movie focused on Mewtwo. I don’t see Game Freak and Nintendo toying with what they built with Pokemon: The Movie by introducing a new form because then, they would be forced to look at the back story that they wrote for Mewtwo and make some small tweaks. Personally, I don’t see either Nintendo nor Game Freak giving themselves more work then they need to.

• “NewMew” is actually Female Mewtwo

Male or Female, I’m really excited to catch this Pokemon and train it! But aside from that, doesn’t the battle graphics for X and Y look absolutely gorgeous?

The second most popular theory is that “NewMew” is actually a female version of Mewtwo. Genders have become somewhat of a staple in Pokemon now, with the tiny boy/girl symbol beside the name.

However, legendary Pokemon aren’t known to have genders. So, one would wonder why Nintendo would be breaking the mold with Generation 6. Personally though, I think this theory may have merit behind it, and here’s why: In Pokemon: The Movie, Mewtwo was presented as a male. The voice was male and it was even referred to as a “he” several times. So, without the actual symbol for male beside the name, it is largely believed by many that Mewtwo is still considered a boy. This makes it extremely possible that this “NewMew” will be presented as a female throughout its existence, cementing the gender home without technically putting the gender symbol beside the name in a game. Think of it as a loop hole to the gender-less rule of legendary Pokemon that has been implemented through generations.

• A Second attempt to clone Mew, resulting in Mewthree
  

There is a very small part of me that thinks Mewtwo may be getting the “DeOxys” treatment. Meaning, Mewtwo will have a Speed Form, Attack Form, Special Attack Form, etc…

The most popular theory, bar none, has got to be that this new Pokemon is just another cloning attempt of Mew. This is believable when coupled with the theory that Ditto is actually a failed cloning attempt which just shows that cloning is still something that is tried.

However, personally I don’t believe that they tried to clone Mew again. My reasoning behind this thought process is solely based on the appearance. In Pokemon: The  Movie, Mewtwo was showcased as a powerful entity that could telepathically speak, whereas Mew spoke in the traditional way (repeating it’s name over and over). This makes me believe that Mewtwo is far superior to Mew in some ways. Then, I read the official description for “NewMew”, and one passage in particular really cemented my own theory:

“It is suspected that the newly discovered Pokemon has some sort of connection with the Legendary Pokemon Mewtwo”

This could very well be telling of a new form to Mewtwo, but I believe this is saying  that “NewMew” is a clone, but a clone of Mewtwo, and not Mew.

Think about it; the similarities between the two are hard to deny. The long tail-like limb behind “NewMew”‘s head has a striking resemblance to Mewtwo’s actual tail. The general form is similar as well and then of course, the official description even says that “NewMew” has some sort of connection with Mewtwo. This would open the stage for the female gender to be nailed home because as a clone, one would think that “NewMew” would have the ability to telepathically communicate. Let’s not forget, cloning requires DNA, and with X and Y being chromesomes, this theory of mine could have a lot of backbone.

• “NewMew” is a Team Rocket experiment

The last theory I will look at is the one that says Team Rocket created this Pokemon, which had me thinking. The anime shows that Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, had Mewtwo encased in special armor that was used to suppress the powerful Pokemon’s powers. We also saw Mewtwo hooked up to several cables because of said armor, so isn’t it possible that Giovanni was also gathering data? He is portrayed as a smart man.

This plays into my own theory as well. “NewMew” may actually be a clone of Mewtwo, and not Mew. Giovanni was impressed by the power that Mewtwo had and with goals of capturing rare Pokemon, wouldn’t two powerful Pokemon be better then one?

In Conclusion

Without any official word from Gamefreak or Nintendo about what the actual link is, these are just speculation from myself and from numerous fans around the Internet. One thing is for sure, I 100% believe that this will not be an evolution of Mewtwo.

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 Chimera

The main foes from the hugely popular (and rightly so) franchise Resistance, the Chimera are the first of potential characters for PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale. Iconic and modern, the Chimera would offer another playable villain. Mechanics could be similar to that of Radec’s with the use of weapons but could take on a more feral side too to reflect it’s alien nature. The Chimera are teased as environment activity on a map, but they could easily work as playable characters in this case.

 Spyro

Although technically not totally PS exclusive anymore thanks to its multiplatform reboot, Spyro remains a core part of PS history. Fire-breathing and gliding abilities could make interesting additions to combat in PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale as well as nostalgic gems or a dragonfly as part of a finishing move. I can also see his headstrong, horn-first charge performing much like the Big Daddy’s shoulder barge. PlayStation All Stars: Battle Royale is rather lacking in the purple dragon department, could be time to change that?

 Ezio

The iconic character that frequented the Assassin’s Creed games the most is the much loved, smooth speaking Italian Ezio. The potential for an assassin in PlayStation-All Stars: Battle Royale pretty much explains itself. Finishing moves could include the hidden blade and level 3 could even be the Apple of Eden. New drop items like iconic weapons from the games could be used, and the free running roots of the AC series would translate nicely to the platform layout of PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale. Now we could also go harking after Altaier or Connor, but to save writing this paragraph threefold, I made the call and went with the crowd-pleasing Ezio. But yes, any assassin would be awesome. Although not console exclusive at all, PS owners usually got a nice little nod from Ubisoft via extra missions or exclusive items etc. Us PS3 users are clearly the Apple of their eyes… cough.

 Solid Snake

Way more key to the Metal Gear Solid franchise than Raiden is none other than Solid Snake. For some absurd reason he made his way into Super Smash Bros. but not into PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale? Regardless, he worked well in SSB so there’s no reason Sony can’t look at the mechanics used in that, improve upon them and release a refined version for Battle Royale. There are also rumors that any of Snakes other incarnations (Old Snake and Naked Snake) are possibilities for PlayStation Al- Stars: Battle Royale, but fingers crossed it’s the classic Solid Snake that makes the final cut.

 Crash Bandicoot

Last but not least is the biggest omission from the PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale, everyone’s favorite orange… thing, Crash Bandicoot! I can’t really fathom why he never made the original roster of characters. He stood as the unofficial mascot for Sony and PlayStation back in the day and is the face of one of the best-selling franchises of all time. Naughty Dog’s other endeavor, Jak and Daxter feature, so surely no harm could come from Crash’s addition? His classic spinning attack and Aku Aku (the funky mask guy) could all make heartwarming appearances in his gameplay. Crash Bandicoot stands as the most requested PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale character to be added. As his inclusion has been hinted at by Paul Gale, things are looking hopeful for this PlayStation icon.

 Are there any characters you think would be great in PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale? Share them with us below!

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The post 5 Possible Characters for PlayStation All Stars: Battle Royale appeared first on BagoGames.com.

Repeat: The cake is a lie, the cake is a lie…

Though after some more thought, I realized I had to do something before I became a total blubbery mess.  I tried going the route of extreme diets and death workouts, but that never really stuck with me at all. Let’s face it: diets and strict exercise regimes are not something everyone can stick to for long, if at all.  “There has to be a better way about it”, I thought as I finished off a milkshake during a Diablo 3 session. Turns out there are better ways.

One day while I was doing a grocery run, I saw a young woman who was stocking cat food.  As I passed her by she was chanting to herself, “3 gold pieces, 4 gold pieces, 5 gold pieces”, and so forth.  I thought it was funny, but kept on.  Well after I was done with my boring little excursion and ready to check out, the same girl was my cashier as well.  A few people were ahead of me and she kept doing the same little routine: “34 gold pieces, 45 gold pieces,” etc. When it came to be my time I simply asked her why she did that. She told me that she really hates work but loves gaming.  Something that helped her get through the crappy shift was thinking back to Skyrim and putting herself in the same place, basically raising barter and one-handed skills, as she put it.  I laughed and asked if there was a shout that could give me coupons, but she replied that her barter skill was too high for me.

I thought about what she said on the way home, and it hit me that maybe I could similarly gamify working out and being healthy. So after the house was asleep, I put together some healthy gaming ideas that I would try out.  Below are the five that worked the most and may help you too. Again, I am no doctor, and not liable for any pains, breaks, burns, or unexplainable hellish diarrhea you may experience.  You know your body better than I (at least you should), so try these healthy gaming ideas at your own pace.

NUMBER ONE: THE LOADING SCREEN

If you’re not used to making time for exercise, incorporate it into your gaming. (Pictured: Yourself!Fitness)

No matter what, you have to do SOME kind of exercise to stay healthy and lose weight.  There are a few ways you can do this very easily.  In most cases while you’re playing a game, you will encounter a loading screen for match setup or while entering an area.  When this happens, grab a weight and do some curls, hit the floor for some push-ups, or even do a series of stretches.  If your game does not load all that often, substitute the trip back to town, or death screen (which, if you’re playing Dark Souls, should have you ripped in no time).   Bottom line is to set a point in your gaming time that will “click” with you to get up and do something. It’ll feel like an interruption at first, but eventually it’ll gel with the rest of your gaming session and you’ll feel weird sitting still for too long. Play time is more enjoyable when you’re pumped up, thinking clearer, and feeling invigorated.

NUMBER TWO: BREATHING

Breathing? I know, it sounds like a dumb thing to list, but think about it. When you take in a deep breath and let it out, you feel better. Go ahead and try it now. Getting all that rich super cool oxygen inside and dumping out stale air is a good thing. You may not notice it in the middle of a match or while dragon slaying, but you tend to clench up and play in a very tense and restricted mode. If you make a mental note to simply take a sweet and cool intake of air every now and then, you can ward off painful headaches and eye strain. To really take full advantage of this, get up and do a strong stretch while you pull in a lung full of goodness. Really get it in there; you’re going to want people thinking your Kirby impressions are the best. Just don’t actually suck any items up…despite popular belief; you will not gain super powers such as Kirby.  Also, cats totally seem to hate that.

NUMBER THREE: BREAK UP YOUR SESSION

Okay, so if you’re taking time to work out and breathe, why take another break?  I’ll tell you why, because your body tends to react poorly to hours on the couch or chair staring at the screen in the same light.  Take a 10-minute break after a level gain, or just pull up your cell phone’s timer and pause your game when it goes off.  You may not feel like it in the moment, but it really will help you get your body feeling better. After all, it’s not like you’re just going to leave your game alone.  It’s just a brief relief for your bones and butt as you get up and do something else.  Trust me, your eyes will thank you for it later on.  Perhaps make a sandwich, or check on something you should be doing and find a way to push it back so you can get back to your game.  At least until someone yells at you enough.  Or the power goes out.  Who am I kidding?  That’s when you bust out the handheld.

NUMBER FOUR: SNACK RIGHT

Just think: what would the wizard eat?

We all know that gaming and munchies go hand-in-hand.  It never fails to creep up on you, the ever-lingering need for that tasty-crunchy mouth flavor party that hits us all.  That is then followed by the downpour of syrup, sugar, and caffeine that makes up our drinks.  Yeah…that’s good stuff.  Only it really isn’t all that good.  Try this: replace every other soda or sugary drink with water for at least a week. Then after that, move to mostly water.  You will see that you stay hydrated better and longer, making for a better gamer.  You can also notice a drop of up to 8 pounds just by doing that.  If you’re really into doing it healthier, change the chips and candy routine to something like fruit, carrots, or even light popcorn that you can share with your buds.  Perhaps even a pack of gum that can help you stave off that nagging urge to devour something sweet.  Just don’t totally deny yourself.  Every now and then should be OK, otherwise you tend to go total binge-crazy.  People will think of you as Kirby again…just in a less flattering light. Though come to think of it, being thought of as a pink soulless fluffy vacuum monster isn’t all that flattering in the first place. (Seriously, Kirby is terrifying when you think about it.)

NUMBER FIVE: CARE

Remember to keep all your meters in real life filled up and green.

This is the hardest and yet simplest healthy gaming tip there is. You simply have to care.  Care about making yourself a little bit better.  If you find that motivation is hard, you are not a lost cause — you just need the right mindset. So picture this: the zombie-demon-Nazi-robot apocalypse is right at the end of the month…or year? You have from now until then to get ready.  Feel like getting in better shape now? How many tubby people survive in those scenarios?  I may not outrun them…but at least I will come back as a totally awesome zombie-robot. Point is, make yourself a character, and think about what you need to do to “level up”. You would not make a crappy character to live out your game would you? So why make one for you in real life?  Try to be as awesome as your digital avatars. The more you actually want it, the more it becomes reality.  (If your digital avatar is Kirby, Bob, or MuiMui, then you may want to switch).  You can even make up character sheets and challenge your friends to a game workout.  Winner gets whatever you all put up.

DOES THIS GARBAGE WORK?

It all depends on you.  They more you put in, the more you get out.  Simple stuff, but hard to always apply.  I have tried this healthy gaming mess for a few months now and have a net loss of about 40 pounds.  That’s not even really trying hard!  I just cut back on the heavy sugars and do a little moving in between matches.  It’s all up to you to try it, but you can really max it by dragging your friends into this as well.  Remember, if you need motivation, just think about how cool it would be to actually be as strong, quick, or amazing as your character.  You can also dream up how long you would last in last five minutes of any sci-fi movie. If you’re like most, that’s not very long. All the little changes don’t seem like much, but think of how much gaming we do. Give healthy gaming a shot — you may just be surprised how it all adds up and can really make a difference.

The post 5 Simple Tips for Healthy Gaming appeared first on BagoGames.com.

5. Shatter

When Shatter first hit PSN in July of 2009, it surprised folks with its unique twist on a classic formula.  It took the traditional shell of an Arkanoid/Breakout game and added a sucking and blowing mechanic to the paddle, allowing the player to maneuver the ball in some crazy fashions.  Although the gameplay did offer its fair share of thrills, the music is what left an indelible mark on me.  Jeremiah Ross, a New Zealand producer/musician, created the soundtrack and managed to make this mish-mash of electronic rock and funky beats that helped define Shatter’s overall tone.  It’s almost impossible to not bob your head once you start listening to this all-around slick soundtrack.  Some may have passed on Shatter due its seemingly elementary gameplay, but those  people missed out on some fantastic music.

4. Chrono Cross

I feel like Chrono Cross almost carries a negative connotation with it.  With Chrono Trigger being regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Chrono Cross always seems to be treated like the black sheep in the family.  But with its wildly unique battle system and gargantuan party system, I believe Chrono Cross can fight with the best of them.  And its soundtrack is one of the strongest haymakers it can deliver.  The whole score evokes such a wide variety of feelings, whether it’s fear, whimsy, or tranquility, and the music ends up almost carrying the entire game’s emotional resonance by itself.

3. VVVVVV

When it comes to indie 2-D platformers, VVVVVVV always seems to get overlooked.  It takes a simple mechanic of flipping to the ceiling and floor, and manages to create an exciting, challenging game thanks to its ingenious level design.  Compound that with graphics that are reminiscent of the Commodore 64 and a sensational chip tune soundtrack, and you’ve got a game that seems to get unfairly ignored.  Each song will no doubt get your heart pumping, even though your blood pressure is already probably pretty jacked from dying so many times.  But trucking on made it that much easier when your ears were being exposed to VVVVVV‘s superb melodies.

2. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective had it all.  An intensely riveting storyline, outstanding characters, unique gameplay, amazingly fluid animations, and to top it all off, one of the sweetest soundtracks to ever the grace the DS.  Whether it was rocking tunes of the main theme, or the smooth jazz beats of Inspector’s Cabanela’s theme, all of the songs did a perfect job of setting the tone for every situation.  Its soundtrack was one of the many reasons why Ghost Trick ended being an awesome game from beginning to end.

1. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

There’s a soft spot in my heart for games that involve detective work.  I love the process of investigation and trying to uncover the truth, so it’s no surprise that the Ace Attorney series is one of my favorite franchises of all time.  The narrative and the characters are what make the series special to me, and the charm of the world really buoys the entire franchise with a sense of style that I think not many other games achieve. And the music is what really brings that sense of style to the forefront.

From its adrenaline rushing theme that plays when you’ve caught the criminal in a corner, or the heartfelt tune that plays when you’re having a sincere moment with Maya, the Ace Attorney soundtrack simply has it all.  Every song perfectly exemplifies what you’re feeling in that exact instance, and the soundtrack is able to bring about a cohesiveness to the experience.  The music is what enables Ace Attorney to at one moment have a goofy world filled with hilarious characters, and at another moment create truly stirring emotion.

All of these games I’ve listed above not only have wonderful soundtracks, but they are all great titles that you should experience if you haven’t done so already. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Any game soundtracks you think haven’t been heard by enough gamers? Sound off in the comments below or on our Facebook.

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